Louise Baldock was a Labour Councillor in the city of Liverpool for two terms, 2006 - 2014. This was her award-winning blog, written mainly as a councillor about issues affecting Kensington and Fairfield ward, sometimes as a politician, and sometimes simply personal commentary. Although she thought she might rekindle the blog after May 2015, she has now changed her mind and leaves this as an archive and record.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Belle Vale - great name for what will be an all-women ward

Belle Vale is aiming to become the first ward in Liverpool with three women councillors.

We have had and still have lots of all men wards, but this will be the first all women ward if Claire Wilner is elected.

What a great story about Liverpool, about the representation of women in local politics, about how well women are doing in the city. Labour now has 17 women and 19 men in the Labour group. How many will it be after May 1st?

Women are just slightly more than half the population of the country, or the city, it will be a great day when women are slightly more than half the population of the city council, but the LibDems are going to have to start joining in with the campaign to get more women elected as councillors if we are to achieve this. I see the Greens are looking for a 50:50 split in their representation come May 1st if they are to be successful in winning a second seat.

The Tories are of course nowhere, with no chance of being anywhere, despite Chris Grayling's wild optimism. And the Liberal Party is on 1 out of 3 which is not unreasonable given their poor base.

In the name of all the strong women Liverpool has ever produced, let's get a few more elected!